DENVER - A federal court will hear a lawsuit Wednesday filed by a group of homeless people who say their constitutional rights were violated by the city of Denver during a series of sweeps that happened earlier this year.

Nine people who are homeless are involved in the lawsuit. They say since Denver passed a camping ban in 2012, the city has seized and destroyed property belonging to thousands of people living on the streets.

The class action lawsuit was first filed on Aug. 27. Wednesday marks the first hearing. The attorney involved in the case says the court has issued a rare order allowing people without state-issued identification to enter the courthouse.

There will be a news conference before the hearing begins at 9 a.m.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has defended the sweeps, saying he wanted to rid the city of unsanitary and unsafe conditions.